If anyone remembers my comment from almost a year ago stating that Chang Geon could possibly be a delirious maniac, hello, I have my thoughts gathered and I’m ready to share them. (Currently chapter 35)
(Mostly focused on how Chang-Geon came to be obsessed with Sam-myeong.) From the beginning we start their childhood flashback, we get to see how Chang-geon is mistreated by everyone, from feeling loved and useful to his mother to being completely ignored and hated by his family as we see a glimpse of what is happening through his life.
Since that all started when he could barely even walk himself, that means that Chang-geon could only think of himself — how he’s hated by his brothers and father, how his mother killed herself because of rejection from his father, how he is more inferior compared to a crazy rabid dog. His name, Chang-geon, gave him the idea that he was worthless, useless and absolutely meant nothing to the family, but a piece of a puzzle that didn’t have any missing pieces left. To him, he was an outsider in his own kingdom, his own family; and he was treated as such.
He had conditioned his mind and body to think of such that it became his lifestyle, living the way a crazy dog does. He mimics exactly what his name meant, truly believing that he is worth nothing, that he is lower than everyone; the lowest of the lowest. When you condition yourself to behave a certain way, you’ll definitely believe that what you’re doing is what you are, unless someone does something otherwise. That is what happened to Chang-Geon.
Which is exactly why the moment Sam-myeong gives Chang-geon his undivided attention, the emperor was immediately willing to listen to Sam-myeong, because he actually *saw* the emperor as something that contradicts his name. Chang-geon, seeing how Sam-myeong was the only person who actually gave the emperor the time of day, saw Sam-myeong as some saint — someone who he wants to please and worship — and by that, once Sam-myeong gives Chang-geon a whole new meaning to his name, one that contradicts the name his father intended for him, he immediately agrees. Because he seeks affirmation and love.
The problem is that Sam-myeong taught him that every life, even what people deem insignificant or small, to significant and huge, meant something. That it should be cherished, which is what he is trying to teach Chang-geon. But if we read the manhwa again, we’ll see that Chang-geon wasn’t all that focused on Sam-myeong talking about how others’ lives were significant no matter what. Chang-geon was more so focused on the fact that he was being cherished by Sam-myeong, by someone who he deems a saint.
Chang-geon adapted the name given to him by Sam-myeong, but did not adapt the other’s words and intention. Instead of listening, he just heard him and listened to what his name meant — Prosperity and Strength — and made it his mission to please Sam-myeong by doing what he told him to do: grow and be prosperous. Since he craved affection and affirmation from Sam-myeong, the only safe place and person who actively showed support and love for Chang-geon, he made sure to do everything Sam-myeong taught him to do, not wanting to disappoint.
So this is definitely how Chang-geon came to be, and supposedly — I’d like to assume — Sam-myeong, when he looks terrified into the present Chang-geon’s eyes, all he could see is the broken little boy he tried to save, but could not, which sometimes makes him hesitant. (because Chang-geon already engraved what he taught himself in his mind — or he basically doesn’t really want to help himself or something // this is an assumption) Sam-myeong, even angry or terrified of Chang-geon, still sees the little boy who he taught and stayed with all those years ago.
Let me know if I missed some stuff! I haven’t read the manhwa in a while so I may be wonky with some wording!
If anyone remembers my comment from almost a year ago stating that Chang Geon could possibly be a delirious maniac, hello, I have my thoughts gathered and I’m ready to share them. (Currently chapter 35)
(Mostly focused on how Chang-Geon came to be obsessed with Sam-myeong.)
From the beginning we start their childhood flashback, we get to see how Chang-geon is mistreated by everyone, from feeling loved and useful to his mother to being completely ignored and hated by his family as we see a glimpse of what is happening through his life.
Since that all started when he could barely even walk himself, that means that Chang-geon could only think of himself — how he’s hated by his brothers and father, how his mother killed herself because of rejection from his father, how he is more inferior compared to a crazy rabid dog. His name, Chang-geon, gave him the idea that he was worthless, useless and absolutely meant nothing to the family, but a piece of a puzzle that didn’t have any missing pieces left. To him, he was an outsider in his own kingdom, his own family; and he was treated as such.
He had conditioned his mind and body to think of such that it became his lifestyle, living the way a crazy dog does. He mimics exactly what his name meant, truly believing that he is worth nothing, that he is lower than everyone; the lowest of the lowest. When you condition yourself to behave a certain way, you’ll definitely believe that what you’re doing is what you are, unless someone does something otherwise. That is what happened to Chang-Geon.
Which is exactly why the moment Sam-myeong gives Chang-geon his undivided attention, the emperor was immediately willing to listen to Sam-myeong, because he actually *saw* the emperor as something that contradicts his name. Chang-geon, seeing how Sam-myeong was the only person who actually gave the emperor the time of day, saw Sam-myeong as some saint — someone who he wants to please and worship — and by that, once Sam-myeong gives Chang-geon a whole new meaning to his name, one that contradicts the name his father intended for him, he immediately agrees. Because he seeks affirmation and love.
The problem is that Sam-myeong taught him that every life, even what people deem insignificant or small, to significant and huge, meant something. That it should be cherished, which is what he is trying to teach Chang-geon. But if we read the manhwa again, we’ll see that Chang-geon wasn’t all that focused on Sam-myeong talking about how others’ lives were significant no matter what. Chang-geon was more so focused on the fact that he was being cherished by Sam-myeong, by someone who he deems a saint.
Chang-geon adapted the name given to him by Sam-myeong, but did not adapt the other’s words and intention. Instead of listening, he just heard him and listened to what his name meant — Prosperity and Strength — and made it his mission to please Sam-myeong by doing what he told him to do: grow and be prosperous. Since he craved affection and affirmation from Sam-myeong, the only safe place and person who actively showed support and love for Chang-geon, he made sure to do everything Sam-myeong taught him to do, not wanting to disappoint.
So this is definitely how Chang-geon came to be, and supposedly — I’d like to assume — Sam-myeong, when he looks terrified into the present Chang-geon’s eyes, all he could see is the broken little boy he tried to save, but could not, which sometimes makes him hesitant. (because Chang-geon already engraved what he taught himself in his mind — or he basically doesn’t really want to help himself or something // this is an assumption) Sam-myeong, even angry or terrified of Chang-geon, still sees the little boy who he taught and stayed with all those years ago.
Let me know if I missed some stuff! I haven’t read the manhwa in a while so I may be wonky with some wording!